JP7275222B2 - How to fill the container - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to improved methods of filling a container with a composition at high speed.

High speed container filling assemblies are well known and used in many different industries, such as the hand dish soap and liquid laundry detergent industries, for example. In many of these assemblies, fluid is supplied to the container to be filled through a series of pumps, pressurized tanks and flow meters, fluid fill nozzles, and/or valves to allow precise amounts of fluid to enter the container. and are distributed reliably. These fluid products may be composed of a variety of different materials, including viscous fluids, particle suspensions, and other materials that may be desired to be blended or mixed into the final product. These materials require the addition or removal of energy to enable mixing of the materials, create emulsions, and the like. Accordingly, the container filling assembly may provide for the materials to flow at a particular flow rate, known as the mixing rate, to enable such mixing of the materials into the fluid composition. Mixing speeds must be high enough to allow mixing and other such conversions; too slow a mixing speed will result in an insufficient supply of mixed fluid product or an incompletely mixed fluid product. may bring about. The rate at which the fluid product exits the assembly, typically through a nozzle, and is dispensed into the container, typically through an opening in the container, is known as the dispensing rate. If the speed of dispensing is too fast, a surge of product may occur at the end of product dispensing into the container, causing the fluid in the container to splatter, generally in the direction opposite to the filling direction, and In many cases, it will flow out of the container being filled. This can lead to wasted fluid, contamination of the outer surface of the container and/or contamination of the filling equipment body.

A problem arises when the expected mixing speed is higher than the dispensing speed into the container. To compensate for this scenario, the portion of the assembly where the fluid is mixed and the portion of the assembly where the fluid is dispensed are arranged so that the fluid flows from one portion of the assembly to the other such that the fluid flows in steady state flow. are each scaled to the required size so that the mass flow rates of are the same or close to a 1:1 ratio.

When scaling different machine parts to allow steady state flow of fluids throughout the assembly, the assembly is designed to fill only one type of container with one type of product consisting of one or more fluids. , configured many times. A problem arises when different container types and/or different fluid products are desired due to the assembly. In this situation, the configuration of the assembly must be changed (e.g. different nozzles, different carrier systems, etc.) and the chambers and pipes used are time consuming, costly and increase downtime. and must be cleaned or primed with new products, which can waste fluid resources.

In order to offer a diverse product line to consumers, manufacturers must use many different high-speed container assemblies that can be expensive and space-intensive when switching between compositions, or the fill cycle can be difficult. It must be allowed to increase the period switching time and to have more waste. Therefore, there is no need to manage scaling difficulties driven by mixing speed, there is no need to change the machine to allow for different amounts and different types of fluid compositions, and no time is required in the filling cycle. It would be desirable to provide a container filling assembly capable of filling containers with fluent product at high speeds without requiring wasted changeover periods and without wasting material and resources in the filling cycle.

A method of filling a container comprising: providing a container to be filled with a fluid composition, the container having an opening; and providing a container filling assembly, the container filling assembly comprising: the solid comprising a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber and a dispensing chamber in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber and with a dispensing nozzle, the dispensing nozzle adjacent the opening of the container; introducing the above materials into a mixing chamber and combining the materials to form a fluid composition; transferring the fluid composition to a temporary storage chamber at a first flow rate; transferring from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber and dispensing the fluid composition through the dispensing nozzle at a second flow rate, the second flow rate being independent of the first flow rate; and a step that is adjustable.

1 is an elevational view of a container filling operation with a container filling assembly; FIG. FIG. 4 is a representative schematic of a method of filling a container using assembly 5, wherein the second flow rate is adjustable independently of the first flow rate; The assembly 5 is used to fill the container, wherein the temporary storage chamber 65 is variable volume and has a maximum volume _V2 and an adjusted volume _V3 corresponding to the desired volume of the fluid composition over the fill cycle. A representative schematic of the method is shown. Fig. 2 is an isometric view of a non-limiting assembly; 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 of the container filling assembly with three-way valve and piston pump prior to initiation of a filling cycle; FIG. 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 of the container filling assembly with three-way valve and piston pump undergoing a first transfer step; FIG. 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 of the container filling assembly with three-way valve and piston pump upon completion of the first transfer step and prior to initiation of the second transfer step; FIG. 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 of the container filling assembly undergoing a second transfer step; FIG. Upon completion of the second transfer step and prior to initiation of a subsequent fill cycle, wherein the dispensed fluid composition is less than the fluid composition in the temporary storage chamber for multiple repetitions of the second transfer step. 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the container filling assembly along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; FIG. at the completion of the second transfer step and before the beginning of the subsequent filling cycle, wherein the dispensed fluid composition corresponds to the fluid composition in the temporary storage chamber for one iteration of the second transfer step; 5 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the container filling assembly along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a non-limiting piston pump; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a container filling assembly with one or more air pumps prior to initiation of a filling cycle; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a container filling assembly having one or more air pumps undergoing a first transfer step; FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a container filling assembly with one or more air pumps upon completion of a first transfer step and before initiation of a second transfer step; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a container filling assembly having one or more air pumps undergoing a second transfer step; Upon completion of the second transfer step and prior to initiation of a subsequent fill cycle, wherein the dispensed fluid composition is less than the fluid composition in the temporary storage chamber for multiple repetitions of the second transfer step. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a container filling assembly having one or more air pumps; at the completion of the second transfer step and before the beginning of the subsequent filling cycle, wherein the dispensed fluid composition corresponds to the fluid composition in the temporary storage chamber for one iteration of the second transfer step; 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of a container filling assembly having one or more air pumps; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle;

The following description is intended to provide an overview of the invention along with specific examples to facilitate the reader's understanding. The description should not be viewed as limited to any manner in which other features, combinations of features, and embodiments are contemplated by the inventors. Moreover, the specific embodiments specified herein are intended to be examples of the various features of the specification. Thus, any feature of the described embodiments could be combined or replaced with other features, or removed, to provide alternative or additional embodiments within the scope of the invention. One thing is well thought out.

The container filling assembly of the present invention may be used in high speed container filling operations such as high speed bottle filling. The container filling assembly of the present invention may be used in continuous fill container operations where the amount of fluid is variable and/or the level and type of fluid material is variable between each successive fill. . Further, without wishing to be bound by theory, the equipment constraints and longer time constraints in conventional container filling lines include, for example, the need to maintain steady-state flow rates throughout the mixing and dispensing stages during the filling cycle; The need to change portions of the assembly to accommodate different volumes of fluid and/or to have separate assemblies configured for different volumes of fluid and/or filling cycles It is believed to be caused by one or more factors, including the need to wash away undesired materials for subsequent fills in the to reduce cross-contamination. The container filling assemblies of the present disclosure allow the use of individual assemblies for successive filling cycles when the fluid composition is composed of different amounts and/or materials, and the space occupied by multiple assemblies. These challenges can be addressed by providing the benefits of less waste and/or less wasted product and/or less wasted packaging between successive fill cycles.

The assembly can achieve this effect by using a temporary storage chamber located between the mixing and dispensing chambers to separate the dispensing and mixing speeds. Pressure devices such as piston pumps and air pumps can act on the temporary storage chamber to allow the user to adjust from mixing speed to dispensing speed without the need to maintain steady state flow. The assembly further achieves these benefits by having an adjustment mechanism that acts to vary the adjusted volume of the temporary storage chamber to correspond to the desired volume of fluid composition over the fill cycle. be able to. The assembly may further achieve such benefits by sufficiently removing residual materials and/or mixed fluid compositions from the interior walls of the assembly so that subsequent fill cycles are free from acceptable contamination. Sub-level fluid compositions can be produced.

The following description relates to container filling assemblies. Each of these elements is discussed in more detail below.

DEFINITIONS As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used in the claims are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described . As used herein, the terms “include,” “includes,” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. The compositions of the disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components of the disclosure.

As used herein, "acceptable level of contamination" may be interpreted as the maximum level of contamination that is acceptable so as not to affect consumer experience, product efficacy, and safety of the fluid composition. .

As used herein, the term "converge" may be interpreted as when two or more materials come into contact with each other.

As used herein, the term "chamber" may be interpreted as an enclosed or partially enclosed space through which air, fluids, and other materials may move.

As used herein, the term "cleaning composition", unless otherwise specified, refers to granular or powdered all-purpose cleaners or "heavy duty" detergents, particularly cleaning detergents, liquids, gels, or pastes. general-purpose cleaners, especially those of the so-called heavy-duty liquid type, fine-textured liquid detergents, dishwashing detergents or light dishwashing detergents, especially those of the high-foaming type, various pouches for household and commercial use , tablets, granules, liquid and foam-free dishwasher cleaners, antibacterial hand-washing types, cleaning bars, mouthwashes, denture cleaners, mouthwashes, car or carpet shampoos, bathrooms Liquid detergents and sanitizers, including detergents, hair shampoos and rinses, shower gels, and bath and metal foam cleaners, plus bleach additives and "stain sticks" or pretreatment types drier additive sheets, dry and wet wipes and pads, nonwoven substrates, and products with substrates such as sponges, and sprays and mists.

As used herein, the terms "aggregate" or "combine" mean adding ingredients together, with or without substantial mixing to achieve homogeneity.

As used herein, the terms "mix" and "blend" mean the convergence or combination of two or more materials and/or phases to achieve a desired product quality. A blend may refer to a type of mixing involving particulates or powders. "Substantially mixed" and "substantially blended" may mean the complete convergence or combination of two or more materials and/or phases, whereby any Inhomogeneities are minimally detectable to the consumer and are not detrimental to product efficacy and product safety. The heterogeneity may be below a target threshold that can be measured analytically.

As used herein, the term "fabric care compositions" includes compositions and formulations designed for treating fabrics. Such compositions include laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric strengthening compositions, fabric deodorizing compositions, laundry prewashes, laundry pretreatments, laundry additives, sprays. contained on or in products, dry cleaning agents or compositions, laundry rinse additives, cleaning additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, porous substrates or nonwoven sheets and other suitable forms that may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as pre-laundry treatments, post-laundry treatments, or may be added during the rinse or wash cycle of a laundry operation.

As used herein, the terms "fluid" and "fluid material" include liquids, vapors, gases, and solid particulates in suspension in liquids, vapors or gases, or combinations of all of these. means a material that offers little or no resistance to change in shape due to applied forces, including but not limited to.

As used herein, the term "material" means any substance or entity (element, compound or mixture) in any physical state (gas, liquid or solid).

As used herein, the term "mixer" means any device used to combine ingredients.

As used herein, the term "mixture" means the convergence or combination of materials in a process that does not involve chemical reaction. It can comprise two or more phases such as a solid and a liquid or liquid emulsion. The term "homogeneous mixture" means a dispersion of ingredients having a single phase. The term "heterogeneous mixture" means a mixture of two or more materials in which the various components are distinguishable or have distinct phases. The term "component" means a constituent in a mixture defined as a phase or chemical species.

As used herein, the term "product" means a chemical substance formed as the output from a process or unit operation that has undergone a chemical, physical, or biological change.

As used herein, the term "steady state" means a state of zero net change between inputs and outputs to a process or system and no time dependence. "Steady-state flow" means the flow of fluid into space such that there is no loss or accumulation and therefore does not change with time.

As used herein, the term "passing through" in relation to a valve, as intended when the valve is in the open configuration, refers broadly to fluid moving past the blocking structure of the valve. is intended. The term thus encompasses any intended fluid movement from the valve inlet to the valve outlet through the valve's blocking structure. The terminology is not intended to be limited to situations in which the fluid passes only within the blocking structure of the valve itself, but rather the fluid passes through the blocking structure, the fluid passes around the blocking structure, the fluid passes through the blocking structure. including throughout, fluid passing through the blocking structure, fluid passing outside the blocking structure, etc., or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the terms "rate of flow" and "flow rate" mean interchangeably the movement of material per unit time. The volumetric flow rate of fluid moving through a pipe is a measure of the volume of fluid that passes through a point in the system per unit time. Volumetric flow rate can be calculated as the product of the cross-sectional area of the flow and the average flow velocity.

By "substance" is meant any material that has a definite chemical composition. A substance may be a chemical element, compound, or alloy.

The terms "substantially free of" or "substantially free from" may be used herein. This means that the materials indicated are in minimal amounts and are not intentionally added to the composition to form part of the composition, or preferably in analytically detectable concentrations. means it does not exist. It is meant to include compositions in which the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials intentionally included. Indicated materials may be present in concentrations of less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 1%, or 0%, if any, by weight of the composition.

Unless otherwise specified, all concentrations of an ingredient or composition are for the active portion of the ingredient or composition and exclude impurities, such as residual solvents, that may be present in commercial sources of such ingredient or composition. or by-products are excluded.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements herein are made at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure.

In all embodiments of this disclosure, all percentages are by weight of the total composition unless otherwise specified. All ratios are weight ratios unless otherwise indicated.

Every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. should be understood. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. All numerical ranges given throughout this specification include all narrower numerical ranges that are subsumed within such broader numerical ranges, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. Including as described.

Filling Operation with Container Filling Assemblies FIG. 1 shows an example of a container filling operation 4 that may be used in a manufacturing plant to complete successive filling cycles. The filling operation 4 may be a process in which the containers 7, 8, 9 are filled with a desired volume of the fluid composition 60, and the container filling assembly 5, the containers 7, 8, 9 at various stages of filling, and providing means for moving the containers 7 , 8 , 9 such as a conveyor belt 6 . FIG. 1 illustrates three containers at different stages of the filling cycle. FIG. 1 shows an empty container 7 not yet filled with fluid composition 60, a container 8 in the process of being filled with fluid composition 60, and a completed container 9 filled with the desired amount of fluid composition 60. show. Each container 7,8,9 has an opening 10 through which the fluid composition 60 enters the container 7,8,9. An empty container 7 , for example a bottle, is provided adjacent the nozzle 95 of the container filling assembly 5 so that the nozzle 95 can be positioned adjacent the opening 10 of the container 8 during the filling operation 4 . ,To position. Bottles 7 may be provided using conveyor belt means such as conveyor belt 6 or any other suitable means for providing containers 7 . Completed containers 9 may be moved away from assembly 5 by conveyor belt means provided by conveyor belt means such as conveyor belt 6 or any other suitable means for moving containers 9 . .

Container filling assembly 5 may comprise mixing chamber 25 , temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . Mixing chamber 25 may be upstream of and in fluid communication with temporary storage chamber 65 . A distribution chamber 85 may be located downstream of and in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber 65 . Assembly 5 may include fluid composition 60 . The fluid composition may comprise at least a first material 40 and a second material 55 different from the first material 40 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first material 40 and the second material 55 is in the mixing chamber 25 . converge within to form a fluid composition 60 . Materials and fluid compositions may flow along fluid flow path 20 in the direction shown in FIG. The mixing chamber 25 may have a mixing chamber volume _V1 and a mixing chamber length _L1 . The temporary storage chamber 65 may have a temporary storage chamber maximum volume _V2 and a temporary storage chamber length _L2 . The temporary storage chamber 65 may have a temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 and a temporary storage chamber adjustment length _L3 . Although FIG. 1 shows a temporary storage chamber maximum volume V ₂ corresponding to a temporary storage chamber adjustment volume V ₃ and a temporary storage chamber length L ₂ corresponding to a temporary storage chamber adjustment length L ₃ , It should be appreciated that due to the variable volume and length of the temporary storage chamber 65, the adjusted volume _V3 and adjusted length _V3 can be adjusted to different volumes and lengths throughout the fill cycle. . Adjustment volume V ₃ and adjustment length L ₃ are further described below. The dispense chamber 85 may have a dispense chamber volume _V4 and a dispense chamber length _V5 .

Fill operation 4 may be used to complete successive fill cycles. A fill cycle may be a process by which assembly 5 produces fluid composition 60 and dispenses fluid composition 60 into one container 8 or any number of containers 8 . A filling cycle may have a desired volume of fluid composition 60, which may depend on the number of containers 8 to be filled and the desired volume of each container 8 to be filled. Each container 8 may have a desired volume _V5 as shown in FIG. 1, which is the desired volume of fluid composition that the container 8 is to contain. The desired volume _V5 of the container may be less than the total volumetric capacity of the container 8 so that the container 8 is not overfilled with the fluid composition. The desired total volume of a filling cycle may be the sum of the container desired volumes _V5 of all containers 8 desired to be filled within that filling cycle. Once the entire desired volume of the filling cycle has been dispensed into one or more containers 8, the filling cycle ends.

The filling cycle may be as follows.
Step (1) is providing a container to be filled with the fluid composition, having a container opening and a desired volume _V5 ,
Step (2) is providing a container filling assembly, the container filling assembly including a mixing chamber in fluid communication with a temporary storage chamber enclosed by a temporary storage chamber housing, and a temporary storage chamber and a dispensing nozzle. A dispense chamber in fluid communication with a dispense nozzle adjacent the opening of the container, the temporary storage chamber being of variable volume and containing a desired volume of the fluid composition, up to a maximum volume _V2 and throughout the filling cycle. and _distributed over a single container 8 or multiple containers 7, 8, 9,
Step (3) is setting the temporary storage chamber to the conditioning volume _V3 ,
Step (4) is a step of filling the container 8 so as to be adjacent to the nozzle 95,
step (5) is introducing two or more materials into the mixing chamber and combining the materials to form a fluid composition;
step (6) transferring the fluid composition to a temporary storage chamber at a first flow rate, wherein the order of steps (3), (4) and (5) are interchangeable;
step (7) is transferring the fluid composition from the temporary storage chamber into the dispensing chamber at a second flow rate so that the temporary storage chamber is no longer at conditioning volume _V3 ;
step (8) is dispensing the fluid composition into the container through the opening of the container via a dispensing nozzle;
Step (9) moves the now filled container 9 from the adjacent nozzle 95;
Step (10) repeats steps (2) through (9) until all of the desired volume of fluid composition 60 has been dispensed from assembly 5 .

Step (6) may be known as the first transfer step. Step (7) may be known as a second transfer step. A filling cycle may include multiple second transfer and dispensing steps depending on the overall filling cycle and the desired amount of fluid composition for the desired volume _V5 of the container.

The assembly 5 fills the container 8 such that the first flow rate occurring during the first transfer step is adjustable independently of the rate of the second flow rate occurring during the second transfer step. You can FIG. 2 shows a representative schematic of a method of filling a container using assembly 5, wherein the second flow rate is adjustable independently of the first flow rate.

The assembly 5 may fill containers 8 of different volumes _V5 during a single filling cycle. To accomplish this, temporary storage chamber 65 of assembly 5 may be of variable volume, adjustable by an adjustment mechanism. FIG. 3 illustrates using assembly 5 in which temporary storage chamber 65 is variable volume and has a maximum volume _V2 and an adjusted volume _V3 corresponding to the desired volume of fluid composition over the fill cycle. 1 shows a representative schematic of a method of filling a container.

The filling operation 4 described herein is intended to be merely an example of a filling operation that may involve the container filling assembly 5 of the present invention. They are not intended to be limited in any way. It is fully contemplated that other filling operations may be used with the container filling assembly 5 of the present invention, including, but not limited to, operations in which multiple containers are filled at one time, containers other than bottles Operations in which containers are filled, operations in which containers of different shapes and/or sizes are filled, operations in which the containers are filled in a different orientation than shown in the figures, different fill levels are selected and/or varied within the container. operations, and operations in which additional steps such as, for example, capping, washing, labeling, weighing, mixing, carbonizing, heating, cooling, and/or irradiation are performed during the filling operation. Furthermore, the number of valves shown or described, the proximity between valves and other components of container filling assembly 5, or any other equipment, is not intended to be limiting, merely For example.

Container Filling Assembly FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a non-limiting assembly 5 that may be found at a factory or manufacturing site showing the outer housing of the assembly 5 . FIG. 4 identifies the axis along which FIGS. 5A-5F are cut.

FIG. 5A shows an example of a container filling assembly 5 in which the filling cycle has not yet started. As already mentioned, container filling assembly 5 may comprise mixing chamber 25 , temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . Assembly 5 may have one or more inlet orifices 30 , 45 for receiving first material 40 and second material 55 provided to form fluid composition 60 . At least a portion of fluid composition 60 is formed within mixing chamber 25 when at least a portion of each of first material 40 and second material 55 converge. Assembly 5 may further comprise two or more valves for controlling passage of fluid composition through assembly 5 . Assembly 5 may comprise a first valve 101 in fluid communication with mixing chamber 25 and temporary storage chamber 65 . First valve 101 may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition 60 from mixing chamber 25 into temporary storage chamber 65 . Assembly 5 may include a second valve 121 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) in fluid communication with temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . Second valve 121 may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition 60 from temporary storage chamber 65 into dispensing chamber 85 . It should be understood that the assembly 5 may further comprise any additional number of valve components required. Since the fill cycle has not yet started, all valves within assembly 5 as shown in FIG. not

Materials 40 , 55 can enter container filling assembly 5 via mixing chamber 25 . Mixing chamber 25 may be a space enclosed by mixing chamber housing 27 in which two or more materials may converge to form a mixed fluid composition. A mixed fluid composition may be a mixture. Mixing chamber housing 27 may have a mixing chamber housing inner surface 28 . The mixing chamber 25 may comprise a first material inlet orifice 30 in fluid communication with a source of a first material and a second fluid inlet orifice 45 in fluid communication with a source of a second material. A source of first material may provide first material 40 and a second material object may provide second material 55 . A first material inlet orifice 30 and a second material inlet orifice 45 may be located on the mixing chamber housing 27 to allow the first material 40 and the second material 55 to enter the mixing chamber 25. can make it possible. First material inlet orifice 30 may comprise first material inlet valve 32 and second material inlet orifice 45 may comprise second material inlet valve 46 . Each of the first and second material inlet valves 32 , 46 may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of each respective material 40 , 55 into the mixing chamber 25 . Each of the first and second material inlet valves 32,46 are in an open configuration to allow the respective material 40,55 to pass through the respective material inlet valve 32,46 and the respective material 40,55 to the respective material inlet valve 32,46. It may have a closed configuration in which the material inlet valves 32, 46 cannot be passed through. Each of the first and second material valves 32, 46 may, for example, have the second material inlet valve 46 in a closed position when the first material inlet valve 32 is in an open configuration, or alternatively, They may be operated independently of each other such that when the first material inlet valve 32 is in the closed position, the second material inlet valve 46 is in the open position. FIG. 5A shows the first material inlet valve 32 and the second material inlet valve 32, 46 in the closed configuration because the signal has not yet been transmitted to move the valves 32, 46 to the open configuration and initiate flow. 46 are shown.

The mixing chamber 25 may further comprise a mixing chamber outlet orifice 26 downstream of the first and second material inlet orifices 30,45. Mixing chamber exit orifice 26 may be located on mixing chamber housing 27 , which may allow fluid composition 60 to exit mixing chamber 25 . The mixing chamber exit orifice 26 may comprise a mixing chamber exit valve 29 that mixes the fluid flow containing either the fluid composition 60 or the first or second material 40,55. From chamber 25 to other parts of assembly 5 can be started, adjusted or stopped. It is contemplated that mixing chamber outlet valve 29 may be first valve 101 or may be separate from first valve 101 as shown in FIG. 5A. Mixing chamber outlet valve 29 may have an open configuration that allows fluid comprising fluid composition 60 or either first or second material 40 , 55 to pass through mixing chamber outlet valve 29 . The mixing chamber outlet valve 29 may have a closed configuration in which no fluid, including the fluid composition 60 or either the first or second materials 40, 55, can pass through the mixing chamber outlet valve 29. .

It should be understood that first material 40 and second material 55 may converge within mixing chamber 25 to form fluid composition 60 within mixing chamber 25 . However, the disclosure is not so limited. First material 40 and second material 55 need not flow into mixing chamber 25 at the same time or for the same duration. The initiation and duration of flow of first material 40 and second material 55 can occur in any such combination to provide the desired fluid composition product 60 . It is contemplated that either first material 40 or second material 55 may flow through mixing chamber 25 without converging with any other material. This may be the case, for example, when first material 40 or second material 55 is intended for use in the immediately following fill cycle, fluid composition 60 may be followed by first material 40 or second material 55 . may occur if it is desirable to follow some amount of either so that the immediately following fill cycle can produce a fluid composition below an acceptable level of contamination. This is also the case, for example, if either the first material 40 or the second material 55 flows through the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65 without converging with any other material. It is also possible that other materials subsequently remove residual individual materials remaining on the mixing chamber housing inner surface 28 . Fluid composition 60 may actually form within temporary storage chamber 65 . For simplicity, references to the fluid composition 60 in any context involving fluid flow from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65 are as a mixture of the first and second materials 40,55. It can mean either the first material 40, the second material 55, or the fluid composition 60. Where it is particularly important that the fluid flowing from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65 is the individual first or second material 40, 55, the fluid may be the individual first or second material 40 , 55 .

The mixing chamber 25 may be in direct fluid communication with a temporary storage chamber 65 located downstream of the mixing chamber 25 . The temporary storage chamber 65 may be a space enclosed by a temporary storage chamber housing 70 having an inwardly facing temporary storage chamber housing interior surface 71 . Temporary storage chamber housing 70 has opposing second walls 73 and side walls 74 extending from first wall 72 to second wall 73 and connecting first wall 72 to second wall 73 . Be prepared. A side wall 74 may represent one continuous wall, if the temporary storage chamber 65 is, for example, cylindrical in shape, or several connected walls, if the temporary storage chamber 65 is, for example, rectangular in shape. It should be understood that it may mean a wall. As will be discussed below, the temporary storage chamber housing 70 has a defined structure, such as when the temporary storage chamber housing 70 comprises a flexible material that allows the shape of the temporary storage chamber housing 70 to be dynamic. It should be understood that it may not be limited to having Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of inflexible materials, flexible materials, and combinations thereof. FIG. 5A shows an example of a non-flexible material having a structure of first wall 72, second wall 73 and side walls 74. FIG. Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may comprise a flexible material. By way of non-limiting example, the temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be a flexible rubber, and it may be displaced by the fluid composition 60 when the fluid composition 60 is expelled or dispensed from the temporary storage chamber 65 . may expand when filled with and deflated.

Temporary storage chamber 65 may include a temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 where fluid composition 60 may enter into temporary storage chamber 65 . A temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may be located on the temporary storage chamber housing 70 , which may allow the fluid composition to enter the temporary storage chamber 65 . FIG. 5A shows the temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 located on the second wall 73 . The temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may include a temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 that may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition into the temporary storage chamber 65 . Temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 may have an open configuration that may allow fluid composition 60 to pass through temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 . Temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 may have a closed configuration that may not allow fluid composition 60 to pass through temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 . Temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 may be in fluid communication with mixing chamber outlet valve 29 such that fluid composition 60 may be transferred from mixing chamber 25 into temporary storage chamber 65 at a first flow rate.

A first valve 101 may be in fluid communication with the mixing chamber outlet valve 29 and the temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 . It is contemplated that the first valve 101 may comprise the mixing chamber outlet valve 29 such that the mixing chamber outlet valve may function as the first valve 101 in certain cases. It is contemplated that first valve 101 may comprise temporary storage chamber inlet valve 76 such that temporary storage chamber inlet valve 76 may function as first valve 101 in certain cases. In certain cases, first valve 101 comprises temporary storage chamber inlet valve 76 and mixing chamber outlet valve 29 such that temporary storage chamber inlet valve 76 and mixing chamber outlet valve 76 may function as first valve 101 . It is contemplated that Additionally, if the assembly 5 comprises a three-way valve 140 as shown in FIG. It is contemplated that

Temporary storage chamber 65 may include a temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) through which fluid composition 60 may exit from within temporary storage chamber 65 . A temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may be located on the temporary storage chamber housing 70 , which may allow the fluid composition to exit the temporary storage chamber 65 . It is contemplated that temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may be the same orifice as temporary storage chamber entrance orifice 66 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. The temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may include a temporary storage chamber exit valve 76 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) that may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition out of the temporary storage chamber 65. . Temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 may have an open configuration that may allow fluid composition 60 to pass through temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 . Temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 may have a closed configuration that may not allow fluid composition 60 to pass through temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 . Temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 may be in fluid communication with distribution chamber inlet valve 90 such that fluid composition 60 may flow from temporary storage chamber 65 into distribution chamber 85 at a second flow rate.

Temporary storage chamber 65 may be in direct fluid communication with distribution chamber 85 located downstream of temporary storage chamber 65 . The dispense chamber 85 may be a space enclosed by a dispense chamber housing 88 through which the fluid composition 60 flows through the dispense nozzle 95 and ultimately out of the assembly 5 . The dispense nozzle 95 may be attached to the dispense chamber 85 or formed as part of the dispense chamber 85 . The dispense chamber housing 88 may have an inwardly facing dispense chamber housing inner surface 89 .

The distribution chamber 85 may include a distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 where the fluid composition can enter the distribution chamber 85 . A dispense chamber inlet orifice 86 may be located on the dispense chamber housing 88 , which may allow the fluid composition to enter the dispense chamber 85 . Distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 may include a distribution chamber inlet valve 90 that may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition into distribution chamber 85 . Distribution chamber inlet valve 90 may have an open configuration, which may allow fluid composition 60 to pass through distribution chamber inlet valve 90 . Distribution chamber inlet valve 90 may have a closed configuration, which may prevent fluid composition 60 from passing through distribution chamber inlet valve 90 . Distribution chamber inlet valve 90 may be in fluid communication with temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 such that fluid composition 60 may flow from temporary storage chamber 65 into distribution chamber 85 at a second flow rate.

Distribution chamber 85 may include a distribution chamber exit orifice 87 where fluid composition 60 may exit from within distribution chamber 85 . A distribution chamber exit orifice 87 may be located on distribution chamber housing 88 , which may allow fluid composition 60 to exit distribution chamber 85 . Distribution chamber outlet orifice 88 may include distribution chamber outlet valve 91 that may initiate, regulate, or stop the flow of fluid composition 60 out of distribution chamber 85 . Distribution chamber outlet valve 91 may have an open configuration that may allow fluid composition 60 to pass through distribution chamber outlet valve 91 . Distribution chamber outlet valve 91 may have a closed configuration that may not allow fluid composition 60 to pass through distribution chamber outlet valve 91 . Distribution chamber outlet valve 91 may be in fluid communication with nozzle 95 such that fluid composition 60 may flow from distribution chamber 85 into and through nozzle 95 at a second flow rate. It is contemplated that the nozzle may be equipped with a distribution chamber outlet valve 91.

A second valve 121 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) may be in fluid communication with temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . A second valve 121 may be in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 and the distribution chamber inlet valve 90 . It is contemplated that the second valve 121 may comprise the temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 such that the temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76 may function as the second valve 121 in certain cases. It is contemplated that second valve 121 may comprise dispense chamber inlet valve 90 such that dispense chamber inlet valve 90 may function as second valve 121 in certain cases.

Assembly 5 may comprise a three-way valve 140, as shown in FIG. 5A. The three-way valve 140 may be rotatable between first, second and closed positions. FIG. 5A shows the 3-way valve 140 in the closed position when the fill cycle has not yet started. When three-way valve 140 is in a first position (as shown in FIG. 5B), three-way valve 140 is in fluid communication with mixing chamber 25 and temporary storage chamber 65 . When three-way valve 140 is in the second position (as shown in FIG. 5D), three-way valve 140 is in fluid communication with temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . When the three-way valve 140 is in the closed position (as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5C, 5E and 5F), the three-way valve 140 is in fluid communication with either the mixing chamber 25, the temporary storage chamber 65, or the dispensing chamber 85. not.

The three-way valve 140 may have a first pipe 141, a second pipe 142 and a third pipe 143 for directing fluid flow. It is contemplated that first valve 101 may comprise first pipe 141 and second pipe 142 . It is contemplated that second valve 121 may comprise first pipe 141 and third pipe 143 . As shown in FIG. 5A, prior to initiating transfer of fluid composition 60 into temporary storage chamber 65, first valve 101 is in a closed configuration and fluid passes through first pipe 141. It is not possible to enter the first valve 101 . It is contemplated that first valve 101 and second valve 121 may comprise any combination of first, second and third pipes 141,142,143.

The assembly 5 may comprise one or more transfer channels connecting different parts of the assembly 5 and through which the fluid composition 60 can flow. Assembly 5 may comprise a first transfer channel 181 operably connecting mixing chamber 25 to temporary storage chamber 65 . Assembly 5 may include a second transfer channel 185 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) operably connecting temporary storage chamber 65 and dispensing chamber 85 . Each channel 181, 185 may be, for example, a pipe contained within a housing.

The first transfer channel 181 may have a first transfer channel inlet orifice 182 (shown in FIG. 5B) operably connected to the mixing chamber outlet orifice 26, which allows the fluid composition 60 to mix. Flow from chamber 25 to first transfer channel 181 may be allowed. First transfer channel 181 may have a first transfer channel outlet orifice 183 (shown in FIG. 5B) operably connected to temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66, which allows fluid composition 60 to It may allow flow from the first transfer channel 181 to the temporary storage chamber 65 . A first valve 101 may be located between the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 . The first valve 101 may be located within or adjacent to the first transfer channel 181 .

The second transfer channel 185 may have a second transfer channel inlet orifice 186 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) operably connected to the temporary storage chamber outlet orifice 67, which allows fluid composition Objects 60 may be allowed to flow from temporary storage chamber 65 to second transfer channel 185 . The second transfer channel 185 may have a second transfer channel outlet orifice 187 (shown in FIGS. 5C-5F) operably connected to the distribution chamber inlet orifice 86, which allows the fluid composition to 60 can be allowed to flow from the second transfer channel 185 to the distribution chamber 85 . A second valve 121 may be located between the temporary storage chamber 65 and the dispensing chamber 85 . A second valve 121 may be located in or adjacent to the second transfer channel 185 .

Temporary storage chamber 65 may comprise a mechanism configured to adjust the volume of temporary storage chamber 65 . The adjustment mechanism does not need to be changed for smaller or larger chambers or tanks, but instead is simply adjusted to the desired volume for the fill cycle, thus using assembly 5 for continuous filling. The benefits of using the same assembly 5 and assembly components may be provided when providing different types and/or volumes of fluid composition in cycles. The regulating mechanism may comprise one or more pressure devices for controlling the first flow rate at which fluid composition 60 flows from mixing chamber 25 into temporary storage chamber 65 . Advantageously, the pressure device is configured to flow the materials 40 , 55 at a particular flow rate to mix the materials 40 , 55 for the desired transformation of the fluid composition 60 . The pressure device may be a piston pump 165 as shown in Figures 5A-5F and is further described below. The pressure device controls the first flow rate to produce a predetermined mixing of the materials 40, 55 to achieve the desired conversion of the fluid composition 60, the temporary storage chamber 65, the temporary storage chamber housing 70 and the /or it is contemplated that it may be a device that provides a suitable force to the fluid composition 60; The pressure device may be one or more air pumps 144 (shown in FIGS. 7A-7F).

The pressure device may be a piston pump 165, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F. A piston pump 165 may be located at least partially within the temporary storage chamber 65 . The piston pump 165 may comprise a piston pump shaft 175 and a piston pump plate 170 attached to the piston pump plate 170 . A piston pump 165 may be movable along an axis A perpendicular to the second wall 73 . 5A, prior to initiation of fluid transfer into temporary storage chamber 65, piston pump 165 is in a rest position with piston pump plate 170 positioned adjacent second wall 73. As shown in FIG. you can Piston pump 165 , particularly piston pump plate outer boundary 172 (shown and described below in FIG. 6), may be slidably moveable about temporary storage housing inner surface 71 . Piston pump 165 includes one or more seals 176 (hereinafter referred to as seals 176 ) surrounding piston pump plate outer boundary 172 such that fluid composition 60 cannot flow between piston pump plate 170 and temporary storage chamber housing inner surface 71 . (shown and described in FIG. 6).

Optionally, assembly 5 includes one or more mixers 190 located within mixing chamber 25, first transfer channel 181, distribution chamber 85, and/or second transfer channel 185, and any combination thereof. Be prepared for more. FIG. 5A shows static mixer 190 located within mixing chamber 25 . FIG. 5A, discussed further below, shows static mixer 190 located within distribution chamber 85 . One or more mixers 190 may be selected from the group consisting of static mixers, dynamic mixers, and combinations thereof. Mixer 190 may be any such mixer known to those skilled in the art to provide additional input of energy to generate laminar and/or turbulent mixing. either or both the mixing chamber or the first transfer channel 181 having one or more mixers 190 located therein when both the mixing chamber 25 and the first transfer channel 181 are upstream of the temporary storage chamber 65; may provide greater mixing before the fluid enters the temporary storage chamber 65 . either the distribution chamber 85 and the second transfer channel 185 having one or more mixers 190 located therein, when both the distribution chamber 85 and the second transfer channel 185 are downstream of the temporary storage chamber 65; Both may provide greater mixing after the fluid composition exits temporary storage chamber 65 but before fluid composition 60 is dispensed into container 8 . Temporary storage chamber 65 may not have mixer 190 . Because the mixer 190 is a physical object, it may be more difficult for the cleaning mechanism to effectively remove residual fluid from the temporary storage chamber 65 when the mixer 190 is located within the temporary storage chamber 65 . If the cleaning mechanism comprises a physical structure, such as piston pump 165 , the cleaning mechanism may be prevented by mixer 190 from effectively cleaning temporary storage chamber 65 .

FIG. 5B shows assembly 5 transferring fluid composition 65 from mixing chamber 25 to temporary storage chamber 65 . During this first transfer step, materials may flow into mixing chamber 25 and converge to form a fluid composition. The materials may flow individually into the mixing chamber 25 without converging with each other. During this first step, materials and/or fluid compositions may flow from mixing chamber 25 to temporary storage chamber 65 at a first flow rate. A first flow rate may be caused by negative pressure applied to temporary storage chamber 65 by piston pump 165 .

This first step may be accomplished as follows. First, a signal may be sent from the controller to the drive to move the first material inlet valve 32 and/or the second material inlet valve 46 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Accordingly, a flow of first material 40 and/or second material 55 may be initiated into mixing chamber 25 from each material source. The signal is transmitted to mixing chamber outlet valve 29 , first valve 101 and/or temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 , depending on the configuration of assembly 5 , to force fluid from mixing chamber 25 into temporary storage chamber 65 . can be moved from a closed configuration to an open configuration to allow fluid flow. Once the corresponding valve is in the open configuration, a signal may be sent to cause the servo motor to begin activating the first drive force device to apply negative pressure to the temporary storage chamber 65 . The first driving force device creates a pressure differential between the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 such that fluid flows from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65 in the direction of the fluid flow path 20 . can be any such device known to those skilled in the art. 5A-5F, the first driving force device is piston pump 165. In FIGS. The temporary storage chamber 65 is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber 25 and all valves located between the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 are in an open configuration so that a negative pressure or vacuum is applied to the mixing chamber 25 . Materials 40 , 55 and/or fluid composition 60 exit mixing chamber 25 and flow into temporary storage chamber 65 . All of the valves located between the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 are in the open configuration so that the materials 40, 55 and/or the fluid composition 60 can pass through the valves. The first flow rate may be configured to allow a desired level of mixing or conversion of materials 40 , 55 within mixing chamber 25 and/or temporary storage chamber 65 .

If assembly 5 comprises piston pump 165 and three-way valve 140, this first step may be accomplished as follows. A signal may be sent from the controller to a drive that can rotate the 3-way valve 140 to the first position, which causes the 3-way valve 140 to move between the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 . in fluid communication. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5F, the three-way valve 140 has both the first pipe 141 and the second pipe 142 aligned and the first transfer channel 181, the mixing chamber 25, and the temporary storage chamber. It may be in a first position so as to be in fluid communication with 65 . However, it is contemplated that any such combination of pipes 141, 142, 143 that can enable fluid communication between mixing chamber 25 and temporary storage chamber 65 may occur. A signal may be sent to the servo motor to initiate the movement or suction stroke of the piston pump 165 . The suction stroke of the piston pump 165 may be when the piston pump 165 is moved in a direction to apply a negative pressure to the temporary storage chamber 65 by creating a corresponding pressure differential. In FIG. 5B, the piston pump 165 moves away from the second wall 73 and toward the first wall 72, and in doing so the temporary storage chamber 65 lengthens and increases in volume. This increase in volume acts to provide a vacuum, or at least a negative pressure, to temporary storage chamber 65 . Accordingly, mixed fluid composition 60 and/or individual materials 40 , 55 may be transferred or aspirated from mixing chamber 25 to temporary storage chamber 65 as they pass through three-way valve 140 .

FIG. 5C shows a non-limiting example of assembly 5 after completion of the first transfer step, but before initiation of the second transfer step. Once the desired amount of fluid composition 60 is in temporary storage chamber 65, a signal may be sent to piston pump 165 that causes the servomotor to stop moving the first driving force device of FIG. 5C. Accordingly, piston pump 165 may stop applying negative pressure to temporary storage chamber 65 and fluid may then stop flowing from mixing chamber 25 to temporary storage chamber 65 . The signal goes to first material inlet valve 32, second material inlet valve 46, mixing chamber outlet valve 29, first valve 101 and/or temporary storage chamber inlet valve 75 depending on the configuration of assembly 5. It can be communicated to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration such that fluid cannot flow from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65 . At this point, the first transfer step is complete. In FIG. 5C, such a signal is sent to the three-way valve 140 to move from the first position to the closed position such that fluid cannot flow from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65. you can The three-way valve 140 is such that both the first pipe 141 , the second pipe 142 , and the third pipe 143 are not aligned and temporarily open the first transfer channel 181 , the mixing chamber 25 , the temporary storage chamber 65 . , second transfer channel 185 , and distribution chamber 85 in a closed position so as not to be in direct fluid communication. As shown in FIG. 5C, the piston pump 165 may be in a position where the piston pump plate 170 is positioned any distance between the first wall 72 and the second wall 73. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 5D shows a non-limiting example of assembly 5 undergoing a second transfer step when fluid composition 60 is transferred from temporary storage chamber 65 into dispensing chamber 85 . The signal is transmitted to temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76, second valve 121, dispense chamber inlet valve 90, and/or dispense chamber outlet valve 91, depending on the configuration of assembly 5, to release fluid composition 60. It can be moved from a closed configuration to an open configuration to allow flow from the temporary storage chamber 65 into the dispensing chamber 85 . In FIG. 5D, such a signal is sent to move the three-way valve 140 from the closed position to the second position to allow fluid to flow from the temporary storage chamber 65 into the dispensing chamber 85. In FIG. good. Three-way valve 140 is in an open configuration such that both first pipe 141 and third pipe 143 are aligned and in fluid communication with second transfer channel 185, temporary storage chamber 65, and distribution chamber 85. It's okay. However, it is contemplated that any such combination of pipes 141, 142, 143 that can enable fluid communication between temporary storage chamber 65 and distribution chamber 85 may occur. Once the corresponding valve is in the open configuration, a signal may be sent to cause the servomotor to begin activating the second drive force device to apply positive pressure to the temporary storage chamber 65 . The second driving force device creates a pressure differential between the temporary storage chamber 65 and the distribution chamber 85 such that fluid flows from the temporary storage chamber 65 into the distribution chamber 85 in the direction of the fluid flow path 20 . can be any such device known to those skilled in the art. In FIG. 5D, the second driving force device is piston pump 165 . A signal may be sent to the servo motor to initiate a movement or dispense stroke of the piston pump 165 . A dispense stroke of piston pump 165 may be when piston pump 165 is moved in a direction to apply a positive pressure to temporary storage chamber 65 by creating a corresponding pressure differential. In FIG. 5D, the piston pump 165 moves away from the first wall 72 and toward the second wall 72, and in doing so the temporary storage chamber 65 shortens in length and decreases in volume. . This reduction in volume acts to provide positive pressure to temporary storage chamber 65 . The second transfer step causes fluid composition Articles 60 flow out of temporary storage chamber 65 and into distribution chamber 85 at a second flow rate. Mixed fluid composition 60 may be transferred or aspirated from temporary storage chamber 65 to the dispensing chamber as it passes through three-way valve 140, as shown in FIG. 5D. During the second transfer step, the fluid composition 60 flows and is dispensed through the distribution chamber 85 and finally through a nozzle 95 attached to the distribution chamber 85 or part of the distribution chamber 85. can flow out of the assembly 5 via the .

Figures 5E and 5F show a non-limiting example of assembly 5 upon completion of the second transfer step. Once the desired vessel volume _V5 has been transferred from the temporary storage chamber 65 during the second movement step, a signal may be sent to cause the servomotor to stop movement of the second drive force device. The second driving force device is the piston pump 165 in FIG. 5E. During a filling cycle, the assembly 5 may fill one container 8 or multiple containers 8 . If the assembly 5 fills one container 8, one iteration of the second transfer step occurs. If the assembly 5 fills more than one container 8, two iterations of the second transfer step occur. Figure 5E shows a non-limiting example where more than one container 8 is filled during a filling cycle. FIG. 5F shows when only one container 8 has been filled during a filling cycle, or when all of the fluid composition 60 in temporary storage chamber 65 has been transferred from temporary storage chamber 65 into dispensing chamber 85. A non-limiting example is provided.

To complete the second transfer iteration, the signal is applied to temporary storage chamber outlet valve 76, second valve 121, distribution chamber inlet valve 90, and/or distribution chamber outlet valve, depending on the configuration of assembly 5. 91 to move from an open configuration to a closed configuration such that fluid composition 60 cannot flow from temporary storage chamber 65 into dispensing chamber 85 . 5E and 5F, a signal is sent to the actuator to move the three-way valve 140 from the second position to the closed position such that fluid cannot flow from the temporary storage chamber 65 into the dispensing chamber 85. may be sent. The three-way valve 140 is such that both the first pipe 141, the second pipe 142, and the third pipe 143 are not aligned, and temporarily, the temporary storage chamber 65, the second transfer channel 185, and the distribution channel are closed. It may be in a closed position so that it is not in direct fluid communication with chamber 85 . Even after the second valve 121 is in the closed configuration, or where the three-way valve 140 is in the closed position, the fluid composition 60 flows through the dispensing chamber 85 and through the nozzle 95. It is contemplated that the container 8 can still be moved so that it is eventually filled into the container 8 .

FIG. 5E shows a non-limiting example where the assembly 5 undergoes two or more iterations of the second transfer step during a single fill cycle. If there are multiple containers 8 to be filled, some fluid composition 60 may remain in the temporary storage chamber 65 for the subsequent second transfer step. This can occur if the adjusted volume _V2 and the desired volume of the fill cycle are greater than the desired volume _V5 of the container. Fluid composition 60 may remain in temporary storage chamber 65 and each of chamber outlet valve 76, second valve 121, distribution chamber inlet valve 90, and/or distribution chamber outlet valve 91 may be in a closed configuration. be. As shown in FIG. 5E, the second drive force device, here piston pump 165, has stopped moving. As shown, the piston pump plate 170 is positioned between the first wall 72 and the second wall 73 of the temporary storage chamber. If the desired container volume _V5 is less than the total amount of fluid composition 60 in the temporary storage chamber 65, the piston pump plate 170 will move between the first wall 72 and the second 2 at a point between the walls 73 .

FIG. 5F shows that the piston pump plate 170 is flush with the first wall 72 of the temporary storage chamber. When all of the desired amount of fluid composition 60 for the fill cycle has been dispensed from temporary storage chamber 65, piston pump plate 170 will face against first wall 72 upon completion of the second transfer step. may be one. This can occur if the sum of the filled desired container volumes V ₅ of each container 8 equals the adjusted volume V ₃ within the temporary storage container 65 . It is contemplated that the piston pump plate 170 also cleans the temporary storage chamber sidewall 74 during the second transfer step. Even after the second valve 121 is in the closed configuration, or where the three-way valve 140 is in the closed position, the fluid composition 60 flows through the dispensing chamber 85 and through the nozzle 95. It is contemplated that the container 8 can still be moved so that it is eventually filled into the container 8 . However, once all of the desired amount of fluid composition 60 for a fill cycle has been dispensed and has flowed from the assembly 5 into one or more containers 8, the assembly is configured as shown in FIG. 5A. with each of the valves in their closed configuration and the assembly 5 ready for initiation of the second fill cycle.

FIG. 6 shows a non-limiting example of piston pump 165 . Piston pump 165 may comprise a piston pump shaft 175 and a piston pump plate 170 . The piston pump plate 170 may have a piston pump plate back surface 173 , an opposite piston pump plate front surface 171 , and a piston pump plate outer boundary 172 extending from the piston pump plate back surface 173 to and connecting to the piston pump front surface 171 . . A piston pump shaft 175 may be attached to the piston pump plate back surface 173 . The piston pump plate front face 171 may face the second wall 73 of the temporary storage chamber. As shown in FIG. 6, the piston pump plate 170 may be cylindrical in shape, although those skilled in the art will recognize that the shape of the piston pump plate 170 is not so limited. Piston pump plate 170 is slidably moveable about temporary storage housing inner surface 71 such that fluid composition 60 cannot flow between piston pump plate 170 and temporary storage chamber housing inner surface 71 . , may be of any shape known to those skilled in the art. The shape can depend on, but is not limited to, the shape of the temporary storage chamber housing 70 .

Assembly 5 may also be self-cleaning. As the pressure device, such as piston pump 165, moves downward for the step of transferring fluid composition 60 from temporary storage chamber 65 (shown in FIG. 5D), a minimal amount of residual fluid composition 60 remains in temporary storage. The piston pump plate 170 can push all of the fluid composition 60 out of the temporary storage chamber 65 so as to remain on the chamber housing inner surface 71 . Piston pump plate 170 and piston pump plate outer boundary 172 may be made of any material known to those skilled in the art to force fluid composition 60 from temporary storage chamber housing inner surface 71 . Although the cleaning mechanism may comprise a piston pump 165, it is contemplated that the cleaning mechanism may comprise any other physical object known to those skilled in the art for drawing unwanted residual fluid from the space. be. Other such objects to be cleaned may include, but are not limited to, pipeline inspection gauges, pressurized air, and pipeline intervention gadgets. Preferably, the cleaning mechanism may comprise any combination of pressure devices to flow materials during transfer of the fluid composition 60 to the temporary storage chamber step 65 and use physical objects such as piston pumps 165 to , the immediately following fill cycle produces a fluid composition 60 with contamination levels below acceptable levels.

Mixing Chamber Mixing chamber 25 may provide a desirable location for adding fluids because fluid flow may be reduced, increased, or stopped within mixing chamber 25 for a predetermined period of time. This predetermined time allows for the addition of ingredients, mixing and/or residence time for the materials to mix well or react with each other. Also, the mixing chamber 25 can have a fixed specific volume within the mixing chamber 25, and this is more likely than in a flowing fluid stream, as in conventional constrained container filling assemblies, such as late product subdivision assemblies. can provide more precise addition of material to the fluid because it is less sensitive to changes in the . Mixing chamber 25 may provide space for individual materials 40, 55 or fluid composition 60 to remain when first valve 101 is in the closed configuration.

Mixing chamber 25 may be a pipe, hollow, line, conduit, channel, duct or tank, or any such chamber known to those skilled in the art to facilitate convergence of two or more materials. Mixing chamber 25 may be an area or location where mixing may occur. However, it is contemplated that mixing may occur further downstream from mixing chamber 25 .

Mixing chamber housing 27 may be of any thickness typically contemplated for chambers of this type and known to those skilled in the art. Mixing chamber housing 27 may be formed of non-flexible materials such as, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, plastics, ceramics, and cast iron. Mixing chamber housing 27 may be constructed from flexible materials such as, for example, rubber and flexible plastics. Mixing chamber housing 27 may be formed from any material known to those skilled in the art typically contemplated for forming chambers of this type.

Mixing chamber 25 may be of any desired shape, size, or dimension known to those skilled in the art to allow two or more materials to converge to form mixed fluid composition 60 . As shown, the mixing chamber 25 may be cylindrical in shape, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the shape of the mixing chamber 25 is not so limited. Mixing chamber 25 may be any shape known to those skilled in the art that allows two or more materials to converge to form mixed fluid composition 60 . Preferably, the mixing chamber 25 may be shaped to allow the fluid to flow in a path that is substantially circular in cross-section so as to provide a uniform shear distribution. The size and dimensions of the mixing chamber 25 may be configured according to the desired total fluid composition 60 of the fill cycle, but are not limited thereto. As noted above, mixing chamber 25 may be of any desired shape, size, or dimensions. However, it may be desirable for the mixing chamber 25 to have a predetermined volume _V1 . The mixing chamber volume _V1 may depend on, but is not limited to, the temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 and/or the desired total fluid composition 60 of the fill cycle. Mixing chamber volume _V1 may be less than or equal to temporary storage chamber conditioning volume _V3 , assuming all fluid in mixing chamber 25 is transferred into temporary storage chamber 65 within a fill cycle. The mixing chamber volume _V1 may be smaller than the temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 if the residence time of the fluid composition in the mixing chamber is short, so that the total volume of the fluid composition is not in the mixing chamber at one time. The mixing chamber volume _V1 may equal the temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 if the residence time is long enough that the fluid can be retained in the mixing chamber at one time during the fill cycle.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of mixing chamber 25 is preferably as small as possible given the rheological properties of fluid composition 60 and the desired transformation. is. As discussed above, having a length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of the mixing chamber 25 minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between successive filling cycles, as is well known to those skilled in the art. can provide a profit of Preferably, the length and/or cross-sectional area of mixing chamber 25 is large enough to accommodate mixer 190 . It may be desirable for the cross-sectional area of the mixing chamber 25 to be less than 100% of the mixing chamber length _L1 , less than 75% of the mixing chamber length _L1 , or less than 50% of the mixing chamber length _L1 . It may be desirable for the cross-sectional area of the mixing chamber 25 to be less than 5% of the mixing chamber length L ₁ , the mixing chamber 25 having a length-to-diameter ratio of 20:1 within the mixing chamber 25 . , a static mixer, or the like.

The first and second material inlet orifices 30 , 45 may be openings through which materials enter the mixing chamber 25 . The container filling assembly 5 is not limited to two material inlet orifices, but may have any number of materials, each in fluid communication with a respective source of material, depending on the different materials desired to be used. It should be understood that an inlet orifice may be provided. First material entry orifice 30 and second material entry orifice 45 may be of any size and shape necessary to permit flow of respective materials 40 , 55 into mixing chamber 25 . The size and shape of the first material inlet orifice 30 and the second material inlet orifice 45 may depend on, but is not limited to, the rheological properties of the first and second materials 40, 55 and the first flow rate. .

Mixing chamber exit orifice 26 may be an opening through which either fluids, materials 40 , 55 or mixed fluid composition 60 can exit mixing chamber 25 . Mixing chamber exit orifice 26 may be of any size and shape necessary to allow materials 40 , 55 or mixed fluid composition 60 to exit mixing chamber 25 . The size and shape of the mixing chamber exit orifice 26 may depend on, but is not limited to, the rheological properties of the materials 40, 55 or mixed fluid composition 60 and the first flow rate.

The first material inlet orifice 30 and the second material opening 45 may be coplanar. The first and second material inlet orifices 30, 45 may be located adjacent to each other. The first and second material inlet orifices 30, 45 may be located opposite each other. The first and second material inlet orifices 30, 45 may be concentric with each other. First material inlet orifice 30 may be further upstream on fluid flow path 20 than second material inlet orifice 45 . However, the configuration of the first and second material inlet orifices 30,45 is not so limited. First material entry orifice 30 and second material entry orifice 45 are positioned relative to each other in any configuration necessary to allow convergence of materials 40, 55 to form fluid composition 60. good. The configuration of the first and second material inlet orifices 30, 45 relative to each other may depend on the length L ₁ of the mixing chamber 25, the rheological properties of the first and second materials 40, 55, and the first flow rate. but not limited to these.

When two or more materials 40, 55 converge to form mixed fluid composition 60 and fluid composition 60, or when materials 40, 55 exit mixing chamber 25 by mixing chamber exit orifice 26, the fluid Both the first material inlet orifice 30 and the second material orifice 45 provide more fluid flow than the mixing chamber outlet orifice 26 so that the fluid flow path 20 begins within the mixing chamber 25 when flowing down the flow path 20 . It may be further upstream on flow path 20 .

Temporary Storage Chamber Temporary storage chamber 65 may be any pipe, hollow, line, conduit, channel, duct or tank, or any other material known to those skilled in the art to facilitate retention of fluid composition 60 and allow for adjustment mechanisms. A pressure device, such as piston pump 165, acts on temporary storage chamber 65 to change fluid composition 60 from a first flow rate to a second flow rate.

A temporary storage chamber 65 may be located downstream of the mixing chamber 25 and upstream of the distribution chamber 85 . Temporary storage chamber 65 acts as a chamber in which fluid composition 60 can change from a first flow rate to a second flow rate, thus locating temporary storage chamber 65 between mixing chamber 25 and dispensing chamber 85. is useful. In addition, having the mixing chamber 25 upstream of the temporary storage chamber 65 and the temporary storage chamber 65 upstream of the distribution chamber 85 allows the fluid composition 60 to travel through the pipes and channels and then further into the distribution chamber 85 . Moving within may provide the benefit that any additional mixing required for the fluid composition 60 may be completed within the temporary storage chamber 65 . In this regard, having the mixer 190 within the mixing chamber 25 may provide the advantage of using the mixer 190 to mix the various materials 40, 55 and the fluid composition 60 moving through the pipes and channels. Any additional mixing required for the fluid composition 60 can be completed in the temporary storage chamber 65 by then moving further within the dispensing chamber 85 . Temporary storage chamber 65 may also have a mixer 190 .

Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be of any thickness known to those skilled in the art typically contemplated for chambers of this type. Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be formed of non-flexible materials such as, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, plastic, and cast iron. Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be constructed from flexible materials such as, for example, rubber, ceramics, and flexible plastics. Temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be formed from any material known to those skilled in the art typically contemplated for forming chambers of this type. In a non-limiting example, the temporary storage chamber housing 70 may be constructed from flexible rubber, and when the first driving force device 145 acts on the temporary storage chamber 65 and then fills with fluid, It can expand and then contract when the second driving force device 155 acts on the temporary storage chamber 155 .

Temporary storage chamber 65 may be of any desired shape, size, or dimension known to those skilled in the art to allow fluid composition 60 to change from a first flow rate to a second flow rate. Well, the second flow rate is adjustable independently of the first flow rate. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the temporary storage chamber 65 may be cylindrical in shape, but the shape of the temporary storage chamber 65 is not so limited. Preferably, the temporary storage chamber 65 may be shaped to allow fluid to flow in a path that is substantially circular in cross section. The size and dimensions of the temporary storage chamber 65 may be configured according to the desired total volume of the filling cycle, but are not limited thereto. As noted above, temporary storage chamber 65 may be of any desired shape, size, or dimensions. However, the temporary storage chamber 65 can have a maximum volume _V2 , which is the limit to which the temporary storage chamber 65 can expand. Temporary storage chamber volume _V2 may be greater than or equal to mixing chamber conditioning volume _V1 since all fluid in mixing chamber 25 may be transferred into temporary storage chamber 65 within a fill cycle.

The temporary storage chamber maximum volume _V2 may be greater than or equal to the temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 . Temporary storage chamber maximum volume _V2 may be the maximum volume of temporary storage chamber 65 and is therefore greater than or equal to temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 . Temporary storage chamber maximum volume _V2 may be greater than or equal to dispense chamber volume _V4 because dispense chamber 85 need not hold all of fluid composition 60 transferred from temporary storage chamber 65 at the same time. Fluid composition 60 may flow into dispensing chamber 85 and out directly from nozzle 95 . A fill cycle may include two or more repetitions of the second transfer step. The desired volume _V5 of the container is less than the temporary storage chamber adjusted volume _V3 if there are two or more iterations of the second transfer step.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of temporary storage chamber 65 may be optimized for less filling or for the desired volume _V5 of the container for minimum resolution and accuracy. It is preferred to be as small as necessary, given the rheological properties and flow rate of the fluid to maintain the properties. As discussed above, temporary storage chamber 65 has a small length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume, as is well known to those skilled in the art, resulting in less dosing accuracy, less cleaning area, and It can provide the benefit of not taking up a lot of space. The cross-sectional area of the temporary storage chamber 65 is less than 200% of the temporary storage chamber length _L2 , preferably less than 100% of the temporary storage chamber length _L2 , or more preferably less than 50% of the temporary storage chamber length _L2 . It may be desirable that Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the greater the length-to-distance ratio of the temporary storage chamber 65, the greater the resolving power that the servo-driven pump must achieve in terms of dose accuracy. Therefore, a cross-sectional area of the temporary storage chamber 65 that is less than 200%, less than 100%, or less than 50% of the temporary storage chamber length _L2 may be beneficial.

Temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 or individual materials 40 , 55 enter into temporary storage chamber 65 . Temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 may exit temporary storage chamber 65 . Temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may be of any size and shape required to allow flow of fluid composition 60 or individual materials 40 , 55 into temporary storage chamber 65 . Temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may be of any size and shape required to allow flow of fluid composition 60 out of temporary storage chamber 65 . The size and shape of temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may depend on, but is not limited to, the rheological properties of fluid composition 60 and the first flow rate. The size and shape of temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 may depend on, but is not limited to, the rheological properties of fluid composition 60 and the second flow rate. Temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 may be upstream of temporary storage chamber outlet orifice 67 .

The temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 is perpendicular to the temporary storage chamber outlet orifice 67 as shown so that the fluid entering the temporary storage chamber 65 is sufficiently separated by the distance that the fluid exits the temporary storage chamber 65 . may be located The temporary storage chamber inlet opening 66 may be located on a different wall than the temporary storage chamber exit orifice 67 as shown, which has the benefit of utilizing more space in the temporary storage chamber housing 70. can provide. Temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 and temporary storage chamber outlet orifice 67 may be located relative to each other at any distance and position that may allow the assembly to perform its function. It is contemplated that one orifice may serve both as the temporary storage chamber inlet 66 during the first transfer step and as the temporary storage chamber outlet 67 during the second transfer step. Such a configuration is shown in Figures 5A-5F. This configuration may provide the benefits of using fewer mechanical components and occupying less space when space constraints are a particular consideration.

Distribution Chamber Distribution chamber 85 is a pipe, hollow, line, conduit, channel, duct or tank, or any such chamber known to those skilled in the art, through which flow of fluid composition 60 exits assembly 5. can facilitate The dispense chamber 85 may be a chamber separate from the fill nozzle 85 or the dispense chamber 85 may be a conventional fill nozzle 95 .

The dispense chamber housing 88 may be of any thickness known to those skilled in the art typically contemplated for chambers of this type. Distribution chamber housing 88 may be formed of non-flexible materials such as, for example, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, plastics, ceramics, and cast iron. The dispense chamber housing 88 may be constructed from flexible materials such as, for example, rubber and flexible plastics. The dispense chamber housing 88 may be formed from any material known to those skilled in the art typically contemplated for forming chambers of this type.

Distribution chamber 85 may be of any desired shape, size, or dimension known to those skilled in the art to facilitate the flow of fluid composition 60 out of assembly 5. . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the distribution chamber 85 may be cylindrical in shape, but the shape of the distribution chamber 85 is not so limited. Preferably, the dispensing chamber 85 may be shaped such that fluid may flow in a path that is substantially circular in cross-section, which may provide an improved filling operation into the container. The size and dimensions of the dispensing chamber 85 may be configured according to, but not limited to, the desired volume of the fill cycle and/or the desired volume _V5 of the container. The dispense chamber maximum volume _V4 may be greater than or equal to the temporary storage chamber adjustment volume _V3 or less. The distribution chamber 85 need not hold all of the fluid composition 60 transferred from the temporary storage chamber 65 at the same time. Fluid composition 60 may flow into dispensing chamber 85 and out directly from nozzle 95 . Fluid composition 60 may be transferred to distribution chamber 85 in two or more iterations of the second transfer step. When this occurs, the desired volume V ₅ of the container may be less than the temporary storage chamber adjusted volume V ₃ .

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of distribution chamber 85 is preferably as small as possible given the rheological properties of the fluid and the second flow rate of fluid. As discussed above, having a length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of distribution chamber 85 minimizes the risk of cross-contamination between successive filling cycles, as is well known to those skilled in the art. can provide a profit of Preferably, the length and/or cross-sectional area of distribution chamber 85 may be large enough to accommodate mixer 190 . It may be desirable for the cross-sectional area of the distribution chamber to be less than 100% of the distribution chamber length _L3 , less than 75% of the distribution chamber length _L3 , or less than 50% of the distribution chamber length _L3 . The cross-sectional area of distribution chamber 85 may be desirably less than 5% of distribution chamber length _L3 , and distribution chamber 85 is sized within distribution chamber 85 at a length-to-diameter ratio of 20:1. , a static mixer, or the like.

Distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 may enter distribution chamber 85 . Distribution chamber exit orifice 87 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 may exit distribution chamber 85 . Distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 and distribution chamber outlet orifice 87 are of any size and shape necessary to allow the flow of fluid composition 60 into distribution chamber 85 to exit distribution chamber 85, respectively. It's okay. The size and shape of distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 and distribution chamber outlet orifice 87 may depend on, but are not limited to, the rheological properties of fluid composition 60 and the second flow rate. Distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 may be upstream of distribution chamber outlet orifice 87 .

Nozzle FIG. 8 shows a non-limiting example of nozzle 95 . A spout such as nozzle 95 or other fluid directing or controlling structure allows fluid composition 60 to ultimately exit container filling assembly 5 . Nozzle 95 is located adjacent distribution chamber 85 and may be part of distribution chamber 85 or a separate piece permanently or temporarily fixed thereto. The nozzle 95 may be adjacent the opening 10 of the container 8, but still be positioned completely outside the container 8, or positioned wholly or partially within the container 8 through the opening 10 during the filling process. good. Nozzle 95 may include any number of orifices 96 or other openings through which fluid composition 60 may flow. Orifice 96 may be of a length such that it forms a nozzle passageway 97, or channel, through which fluid composition 60 may flow. The nozzle orifice 96 or any one or more of the nozzle orifices 96 may be circular in cross section, although other shapes, numbers of orifices, and sizes are contemplated. Nozzle 95 need not be a single nozzle, but may include one or more nozzles separate or joined together. The shape and/or orientation of nozzle 95 may be static. Also, container filling assembly 5 and/or nozzle 95 may be configured such that different nozzles may be used with container filling assembly 5, and the operator may select between different nozzle types depending on the particular filling operation. It is envisioned to allow Nozzle 95 may also be manufactured as part of dispensing chamber 85 . This can reduce the number of seals required between parts, which is particularly useful when filling containers with fluids containing ingredients such as perfumes that can degrade or compromise seal integrity. could be. Such configurations can also help reduce or eliminate locations where bacteria, sediment, and/or solids can become trapped.

Valves For simplicity, the figures show only certain representative types of valves. However, it should be understood that any suitable valve may be used within container filling assembly 5 . For example, the first valve 101 and the second valve 121 may be ball valves, spool valves, rotary valves, sliding valves, wedge valves, butterfly valves, choke valves, septum valves, gate valves, needle pinch valves, piston valves. , plug valves, poppet valves, and any other type of valve suitable for the particular use intended for the container filling assembly 5 . Additionally, the container filling assembly 5 may include any number of valves, and the valves may be of the same type, different types, or combinations thereof. The valves can be of any desired size and need not be the same size. Suitable for use in container filling assembly 5 for filling bottles with soaps, for example dishwashing soap having a viscosity of about 300 centipoises and liquid laundry detergent having a viscosity of about 600 centipoises. Examples of valves for which is known are piston valves, spool valves, and rotary valves.

Valves within assembly 5 may include one or more seals to provide a sealing mechanism to ensure that fluid composition 60 does not seep out of the valve. The seal may be of any suitable size and/or shape and may be made of any suitable material. Additionally, each valve may include any number of seals. Each valve may include one seal or two seals at each end of each valve. A non-limiting example of a suitable seal is an o-ring, such as extreme chemical Viton Etp O-ring dash number 13 available from McMaster-Carr.

If a piston valve is used, the valve may be of any suitable size or shape. For example, the first valve 101 may be a cylinder or cylindrical body. The valve may have a cylindrical shape with a lower waist to allow fluid to pass around the valve. Alternatively, the valve may have a cylindrical shape with one or more channels extending through the cylinder, the channel(s) allowing fluid to pass therethrough. If a three-way type valve is used, the valve may be of any suitable size or shape. Further, the valve or any part of the valve can be made from any material suitable for the purpose of the valve. For example, valves may be made from steel, plastic, aluminum, ceramic, layers of different materials, and the like. One embodiment found to be suitable for use with fluids such as hand dishwashing liquids having viscosities of from about 200 to about 6000 centipoise is available from Astro Met, Inc., 9974 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio. and the ceramic material AmAlOx68 (99.8% aluminum oxide ceramic) available from Epson. One advantage of ceramic materials is that they can be formed to very close tolerances and additional seals or other sealing structures may not be required to prevent fluid from leaking out of the valve. Reducing the number of seals can also reduce the space in which bacteria can enter and survive, which can help improve process hygiene. When the assembly 5 comprises a three-way valve 140 such as that shown in FIGS. 5A-5F, the three-way valve 140 is rotatable between a first position, a second position, and a closed position. or the three-way valve 140 may be static throughout the fill cycle.

Movement Force and Flow System Assembly 5 further includes a pressure device for generating and controlling the desired flow rate of fluid composition 60 as it flows through the various chambers in assembly 5 . Be prepared. The pressure device may be any device capable of providing a driving force to move fluid through assembly 5 .

The motive force system may comprise a first motive force device in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber, the first motive force device for flowing the fluid composition from the mixing chamber into the temporary storage chamber. , may generate a first flow rate. The motive force system may comprise a second motive force device in fluid communication with the temporary storage chamber, the second motive force device flowing from the temporary storage chamber into the dispensing chamber and ultimately the assembly. A second flow rate of the fluid composition may be generated to be dispensed from. The mixing chamber and distribution chamber are not in direct fluid communication such that the first flow rate and the second flow rate are independent of each other.

The second motive force device may be configured to provide a pressure that allows the fluid composition to flow at a predetermined second flow rate. A regulating mechanism, such as a piston pump, can thus function as a second driving force device. Considerations for determining the pressure differential required to produce the second flow rate include the respective rheological properties of the fluid composition, the transformation of the fluid composition desired to be achieved, and at least the temporary storage chamber , second transfer channel, and distribution chamber, respectively.

The material may be pressurized or provided at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. The fluid composition may be pressurized or provided at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.

Preferably, the first flow rate may be configured to provide mixing or conversion of materials to form the fluid composition and/or further conversion of the fluid composition, if desired. Preferably, the second flow rate may be configured to provide further mixing, or further conversion of the fluid composition, if desired. Preferably, the second flow rate may cause the fluid composition to splash back or the fluid in the container to splash in a direction generally opposite to the filling direction, often flowing out of the container being filled. It may be configured to minimize the surge of fluid towards the fill cycle.

Transfer Channels Assembly 5 may have one or more transfer channels for connecting the various chambers and parts of assembly 5 . Assembly 5 may comprise a first transfer channel 181 operably connecting mixing chamber 25 and temporary storage chamber 65 . Assembly 5 may comprise a second transfer channel 185 operably connecting temporary storage chamber 65 with dispensing chamber 85 .

The first transfer channel 181 may be, for example, a pipe and allows the fluid composition 60, the first material 40 and/or the second material 55 to flow from the mixing chamber 25 to the temporary storage chamber 65. , can be enabled. Second transfer channel 185 may be, for example, a pipe and may allow fluid composition 60 to flow from temporary storage chamber 65 to distribution chamber 85 .

The housings of the first transfer channel and the second transfer channel may be of any thickness known to those skilled in the art and are typically contemplated for this type of channel, and may be for example steel, stainless steel, aluminum , titanium, copper, plastics, and cast iron, and may be formed from flexible materials such as, for example, rubber and flexible plastics.

The first transfer channel 181 and the second transfer channel housing 185 are well known to those skilled in the art for facilitating the flow of fluid composition 60 from one chamber to another. It can be of any desired shape, size or dimension. Although first transfer channel 181 and second transfer channel 185 may be cylindrical in shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape of first transfer channel 181 and second transfer channel 185 is not so limited. , would be well known. Preferably, the first transfer channel 181 and the second transfer channel 185 may be shaped to allow fluid to flow in paths that are substantially circular in cross-section.

First transfer channel 181 and second transfer channel 185 may each have respective lengths, volumes, and cross-sectional areas. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of the first transfer channel 181 is preferably as large as possible given the rheological properties of the fluid and the first flow rate of the fluid. as small as possible. As discussed above, by having the length, cross-sectional area, and/or volume of the first transfer channel 181 and the second transfer channel 185, as is well known to those skilled in the art, continuous filling It may offer the benefit of minimizing the risk of cross-contamination between cycles. If the distance between the mixing chamber outlet orifice 26 and the temporary storage chamber inlet orifice 66 is reduced, or if each orifice is adjacent to the other, the assembly 5 needs to have a separate first transfer channel 181. The case where there is no is contemplated. In such circumstances, the mixing chamber exit orifice 26 and the temporary chamber inlet orifice 66 are arranged in such a way that the materials 40, 55 and/or the fluid composition 60 are transferred directly from the mixing chamber 25 into the temporary storage chamber 65. is joined. If the distance between the temporary storage chamber outlet orifice 67 and the distribution chamber inlet orifice 86 is reduced, or if each orifice is adjacent to the other, the assembly 5 will have orifices acting as the first transfer channels 181. Cases where it is not necessary to have a separate second transfer channel 185 to accompany are contemplated. In such a situation, the temporary chamber exit orifice 67 and the distribution chamber entrance orifice 86 allow the fluid composition 60 to be transferred directly from the temporary storage chamber 65 into the distribution chamber 85 , with the orifices acting as secondary transfer channels 185 . joined in such a way that The first transfer channel 181 may be continuous, as shown, or separated by valves, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F. The second transfer channel 185 may be continuous, as shown, or separated by valves, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5F.

First transfer channel inlet orifice 182 may be an opening through which materials 40 , 55 and/or fluid composition 60 may enter from mixing chamber 25 into first transfer channel 181 . First transfer channel exit orifice 183 may be an opening through which material 40 , 55 and/or fluid composition 60 may exit first transfer channel 181 and into temporary storage chamber 65 . A first transfer channel inlet orifice 182 and a first transfer channel outlet orifice 183 are provided for the flow of material 40, 55 and/or fluid composition 60 into first transfer channel 181 and the first transfer channel 181, respectively. It can be of any size and shape necessary to allow outflow from channel 181 . The size and shape of first transfer channel inlet orifice 182 and first transfer channel outlet orifice 183 are determined by the rheological properties of materials 40, 55 and/or fluid composition 60, the desired transformation of fluid composition 60, and the 1 flow rate, but is not limited to these. First transfer channel inlet orifice 182 may be upstream of first transfer channel outlet orifice 183 .

Second transfer channel inlet orifice 186 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 may enter from temporary storage chamber 65 into second transfer channel 185 . Second transfer channel exit orifice 187 may be an opening through which fluid composition 60 may exit second transfer channel 185 and into distribution chamber 85 . A second transfer channel inlet orifice 186 and a second transfer channel outlet orifice 187 permit fluid composition 60 to flow into and out of second transfer channel 185 and out of second transfer channel 181, respectively. It can be of any size and shape necessary to The size and shape of second transfer channel inlet orifice 186 and second transfer channel outlet orifice 187 may depend on the rheological properties of fluid composition 60, the desired transformation of fluid composition 60, and the second flow rate. , but not limited to. A second transfer channel inlet orifice 186 may be upstream of a second transfer channel outlet orifice 187 .

Materials Materials 40, 55 of the present disclosure may be in the form of raw materials or pure substances. Materials 40 , 55 of the present disclosure may be in the form of mixtures already produced further upstream of assembly 5 . The materials may converge to form a mixed fluid composition 60 . At least one of the materials 40,55 must be different from the other materials 40,55.

Preferably, the fluid compositions formed using the assembly 5 of the present disclosure are in liquid laundry detergents, gel detergents, single-phase or multi-phase unit dose detergents, single-phase or multi-phase or multi-compartment water-soluble pouches. selected from the group consisting of contained detergents, liquid dishwashing compositions, laundry pretreatment products, fabric softener compositions, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the fluid composition of the present disclosure may have a viscosity of from about 1 to about 2000 mPa ^* s at 25°C and a shear rate of 20 sec- ¹ . The viscosity of the liquid may range from about 200 to about 1000 mPa ^* s at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 sec- ¹ . The viscosity of the liquid may range from about 200 to about 500 mPa ^* s at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 sec- ¹ .

Preferably, when the fluid composition 60 is dispensed into the container 8, the composition of the present disclosure may be suitable for being contained in a container, preferably a bottle. However, other types of containers are contemplated, including, but not limited to, boxes, cups, cans, bottles, single unit dose containers such as water soluble unit dose pods, pouches, bags, and the like, and fills. It should be understood that line speed should not be considered as limiting.

Fluid compositions of the present disclosure may include various ingredients, such as surfactants and/or adjunct ingredients. The fluid composition may contain auxiliary ingredients and a carrier which may be water and/or an organic solvent. Fluid compositions of the present disclosure may be heterogeneous with respect to the distribution of ancillary ingredient(s) in the composition when contained within a container. In other words, the concentration of the adjunct ingredient in the composition may not be uniform throughout the composition, with some areas having a higher concentration while other areas have a lower concentration. concentration.

Test Method Fill Cycle Method 1st sub-feed, 2nd sub-feed, main feed, chamber with static mixer ("mixing chamber"), mixing chamber integrated via 2 liter servo-driven piston pump and a chamber or passageway through which fluid is dispensed from the temporary storage chamber into the container (the "distribution chamber"). is provided. A dispensing chamber may be attached to the nozzle. A three-way valve connects the mixing chamber to the temporary storage chamber and the temporary storage chamber to the dispensing chamber. The assembly is connected to a controller capable of transmitting signals to devices that control the movement of the individual components of the assembly (i.e., primary feed, secondary feed, opening and closing of the three-way valve, and movement of the piston pump). be.

For each fill cycle repetition, the process of fluid flow throughout the assembly was as follows.
1) Place an empty clear container (such as a 1.5 L clear plastic bottle) under the dispensing chamber.
2) Fill each secondary feed with the appropriate amount of material and the primary feed with the appropriate amount of white base detergent.
3) Set the secondary feed selection, total mixture volume, individual volume of each secondary feed(s) and primary feed, and flow rate electronically in the controller.
4) Open the three-way valve connecting the mixing chamber and the temporary storage chamber.
5) Open the primary and secondary feed(s) (via one-way valves so that flow is not induced until the piston pump undergoes a suction stroke).
6) Initiate the suction stroke of the servo-controlled piston pump such that the suction stroke creates the volume of the temporary storage chamber and initiates the flow of the primary and secondary feed(s) into the mixing chamber. The temporary storage chamber and the mixing chamber are in fluid communication via openly arranged valves so that flow is directed from the secondary feed(s) and primary feed to the temporary storage chamber and into the mixing chamber. be done. During transportation of the primary and secondary feeds, static mixers in the mixing chamber serve to thoroughly blend the material(s) from the secondary feed(s) with the detergent from the primary feed into the final product. Fulfill.
7) Turn off the secondary feed while the suction stroke continues to cause detergent flow from the primary feed. This step removes the material(s) from the sub-feed(s) from the mixing chamber such that subsequent repetition of the filling cycle is free of contamination of the material(s) from the sub-feed(s). act as a wash.
8) Rotate the three-way valve so that fluid communication is stopped between the mixing chamber and the temporary storage chamber and fluid communication is opened between the temporary storage chamber and the dispensing chamber.
9) Initiate movement of the piston pump in a direction opposite to the suction stroke so as to compress the volume of the temporary storage chamber, thereby expelling fluid from the temporary storage chamber. This step serves to cause fluid to flow from the temporary storage chamber into the dispensing chamber and be dispensed into the container.
10) Move container to prepare for subsequent repetition of fill cycle, if any.

Delta E (ΔE) Color Difference Test Method The Delta E (ΔE) Color Difference Test Method measures the delta E (ΔE) of a series of continuously mixed and prepared individual samples to determine how well each sample and whether there is any contamination from previous samples.

Prepare at least five samples according to the fill cycle method described herein. Each sample undergoes a separate repetition of the filling cycle. A first sample ("Sample 1") uses a first colorant/dye in a first sub-feed ("Sub-feed 1"). The second through fifth samples ("Sample 2," "Sample 3," "Sample 4," and "Sample 5," respectively) were fed in a second sub-feed ("Sub-feed 2") to of colorants/dyes are used. The main feed is filled with a white base detergent. The assembly is not rinsed between each successive filling cycle repetition. Aliquots from each respective container are placed into separate respective vials to prepare the samples.

The vials were each individually placed into a spectrophotometer, such as the spectrophotometer manufactured by HunterLab (Reston, Virginia, USA.), and the L ^* a ^* b scores of at least samples 1, 2, and 5 were: Measured according to manufacturer's instructions. The L ^* a ^* b score for Sample 5 is the 4th of 4 repetitions of the 2nd fill cycle using the 2nd sub-feed, which makes it almost even better than the 1st It is set as a reference control because it contains no contamination from the first fill cycle using the sub-feed.

For each of Samples 1 and 2, ΔE is calculated according to the following equation.

式中、下付き文字Ｒは参照対照（試料５）であり、また下付き文字Ｓは試料１及び２の各それぞれの試料にある。試料３及び４に関するＬ^＊ａ^＊ｂ及びΔＥ値もまた、所望する場合、計算することができる。

where the R subscript is the reference control (Sample 5) and the S subscript is for each of Samples 1 and 2 respectively. L ^* a ^* b and ΔE values for samples 3 and 4 can also be calculated if desired.

Example 1 Measurement of Contamination Between Substantially Filled Samples To measure the level of contamination and the goodness of mixing between subsequently filled samples that were individually mixed using the assembly of the present disclosure In addition, five samples were prepared according to the Delta E (ΔE) Color Difference Test Method and Fill Cycle Method described herein. The assembly used a SMx™ static mixer (3/4″ diameter, 6 elements, marketed by Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland). Mix (1% red dye diluted in water) was charged Secondary feed 2 was charged with about 12 mL of blue dye premix (1% blue dye diluted in water) Primary feed was charged with about 7 L of blue dye premix (1% blue dye diluted in water) A white 2X Ultra TIDE® liquid without any colorant, with a high shear viscosity of ˜400 cps, as marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. For the first fill cycle repetition, 20 mL of the secondary feed 1 material and 730 mL of the primary feed material are passed through the mixing chamber by the suction stroke of the 2 L piston pump into the temporary storage chamber. generated a flow rate of approximately 300 mL/sec for a total volume of 750 mL.A 2 L piston pump then moved the material from the temporary storage chamber into the dispensing chamber, The dispense stroke caused the assembly to flow out into the container, generating a flow rate of approximately 500 mL/sec.The container containing Sample 1 was then displaced for the next repetition of the fill cycle. A new container was placed directly below the dispensing chamber and nozzle For the second repetition of the fill cycle over 5, 3 mL of secondary feed 2 material and 1497 mL of primary feed material were placed under the suction of the 2 L piston pump. A stroke moved through the mixing chamber and into the temporary storage chamber, generating a flow rate of approximately 400 mL/sec.A 2 L piston pump then moved the material from the temporary storage chamber into the dispensing chamber. and the dispense stroke flowed the assembly into the container to generate a flow rate of about 200 mL/sec.The assembly was not rinsed between successive fill cycle repetitions and each successive fill cycle was The time between cycle repetitions was about 15 seconds or less.For the delta E (ΔE) color difference test method, a HunterLab UltraScan VIS spectrophotometer manufactured by HunterLab (Reston, Virginia, U.S.A.) was used. used.

The L ^* a ^* b values were then calculated for each of Samples 1, 2 and 5, and the ΔE of Samples 1 and 2 relative to Sample 5 were calculated and shown in Table 1.

Typically, the lower the ΔE, the more similar the sample is to the reference control. A ΔE greater than 10 is a typical threshold indicating an unacceptable consumer significant difference between the two samples. A ΔE of 10 or less is a typical threshold indicating an acceptable, consumer-significant difference between two samples. As shown by the results in Table 1, the ΔE between Sample 1 (with red dye premix) and Sample 5 (blue dye premix reference control) is below the acceptable consumer threshold of ΔE greater than 10 was also 57.48 higher. 5. The ΔE between Sample 2 (repeated first fill cycle with blue dye premix after red dye premix) and Sample 5 falls within the acceptable consumer threshold of ΔE of 10 or less. was 64. Applicants therefore demonstrate the instant switchability of the assembly to produce subsequent end products of different materials that fall within acceptable consumer thresholds for contamination without the need to rinse the assembly. bottom.

Example 2 Measurement of Mixing Ability of Assemblies To determine the goodness of mixing throughout the final product in a single container, detergent final products were prepared according to the filling cycle method described herein. , the structurant was added as a side feed material to detergents without structurant. The yield stress of 16 samples taken from the final product was measured and the percent relative standard deviation (% of RSD) was calculated. Yield stress indicates the integrity of the matrix produced by the structurant being homogeneously distributed throughout the final product and % RSD indicates the homogeneity of the matrix throughout the container. ^R2 values were also calculated for each of the yield stress measurements (rheological data fitted to the Herschel-Bulkley model, as described below). ^R2 indicates how well the structurant dispersed to produce a sufficient matrix for suspension of other materials in the detergent, from the standpoint of characterizing material properties.

The assembly used a SMx™ static mixer (3/4″ diameter, 6 elements, marketed by Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland). (a structuring agent marketed by Rheox, Inc., Hightstown, New Jersey, USA).In sub-feed 2, approximately 3 mL of blue dye premix (1% blue dye diluted in water) was charged. Approximately 2 L of white base detergent containing no structuring material (any colorant or structuring material with a high shear viscosity of ~400 cps, such as prepared by The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio) A white 2X Ultra TIDE® liquid detergent, well known to those skilled in the art of formulating liquid laundry detergents, having no , 60 mL of secondary feed 1 material, 3 mL of secondary feed 2 material, and 1437 mL of primary feed material are moved through the mixing chamber into the temporary storage chamber by the suction stroke of the 2 L piston pump, resulting in 1500 mL of A flow rate of between about 300 mL/s and about 500 mL/s was then generated for a total volume of 2 L. A piston pump then moved the material from the temporary storage chamber into the dispense chamber for a dispense stroke of , flowed out of the assembly into a container, generating a flow rate of approximately 500 mL/sec.The final product in the container was then poured into eight sample jars, each sample jar containing approximately 187.5 mL. The final product volume was included (“Samples AH”).

Each sample was run twice (same sample Two separate aliquots from ) were tested. Data for each sample to 100 s ⁻¹ were fit to the Herschel-Bulkley model (using a standard 2X Ultra TIDE® liquid detergent marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio). Yield stress is calculated by performing a detergent shear sweep from 0.01 s ⁻¹ to 100 s ⁻¹ ) and the R ² value was calculated.

The yield stress, ^R2 values, and the mean, standard deviation, and relative standard deviation of the 16 measurements for each of the two tests from each of Samples AH are shown in Table 2.

The ^R2 value indicates how close the yield stress value is to the yield stress value calculated by the Herschel-Bulkley model. An ^R2 close to 1 indicates the goodness of fit of the yield stress value to the mathematical model. The RSD of all of the measurements indicates how similar each of the measurements are to each other, and here the homogeneity of the mixed material throughout the container. An RSD of 10% or less is considered acceptable by consumers. As shown by the results in Table 2, the ^R2 for each of samples A-H was close to 1, indicating that the yield stress from each sample had a high degree of fit to the yield stress calculated by the mathematical model. showing. An RSD of 6.70% for the 16 measurements is a threshold below 10%, all 16 measurements made across the vessel are acceptable similar to each other, thus the structuring agent across the vessel , indicating that the homogeneity and distribution of were acceptable. The data show that Applicants have successfully dispersed the structuring agent throughout the container using the assembly and process of the present disclosure.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range enclosing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" shall mean "about 40 mm."

All documents cited in this application, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, are to be excluded or limited. Unless stated otherwise, it is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Citation of any document is not considered prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or taken alone or in combination with any other reference(s) It is not considered to teach, suggest or disclose all such inventions at times. Further, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with the meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated herein by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall prevail. shall apply.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. . It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of this invention.

Claims (12)

A method of filling a container 8, comprising:
(1) providing a container having an opening 10 to be filled with the fluid composition 60;
(2) container filling comprising a mixing chamber 25 in fluid communication with a temporary storage chamber 65 and a dispensing chamber 85 in fluid communication with said temporary storage chamber and with a dispensing nozzle 95 adjacent said opening of said container; supplying assembly 5, wherein said temporary storage chamber is of variable volume, with maximum volume _V2 and adjustment volume _V3 corresponding to the desired volume of fluid composition to be dispensed into single or multiple containers; and the temporary storage chamber has a mechanism configured to adjust the volume of the temporary storage chamber, and the container filling assembly 5 divides the mixing chamber 25 and the temporary storage chamber 65 into a first position in fluid communication; a second position in fluid communication between the temporary storage chamber 65 and the dispensing chamber 85; providing a container filling assembly 5 having a switching mechanism including a non-communicating closed position;
(3) setting the temporary storage chamber to a conditioning volume _V3 ;
(4) moving the container 8 to be filled adjacent to the nozzle 95;
(5) introducing two or more materials 40, 55 into the mixing chamber and combining the materials to form a fluid composition;
(6) transferring the fluid composition from the mixing chamber to the temporary storage chamber at a first flow rate;
(7) transferring said fluid composition from said temporary storage chamber into said dispensing chamber and dispensing said fluid composition through said dispensing nozzle at a second flow rate, said wherein a second flow rate is adjustable independently of said first flow rate;
(8) removing the filled container 8 from a location adjacent to the nozzle 95;
(9) repeating steps (2) through (8) until all of the desired volume of fluid composition 60 has been dispensed from the container filling assembly 5; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the container filling assembly comprises one or more pressure devices to force the fluid composition introduced into the mixing chamber. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of said one or more pressure devices is independently selected from the group consisting of piston pump 165, air pump 144 , and combinations thereof. 4. A method according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein at least one pressure device is a piston pump. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the piston pump is located at least partially within the temporary storage chamber. 4. A method according to any of claims 2 or 3, wherein at least one pressure device is an air pump. 7. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one air pump is located at least partially within the distribution chamber. 7. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one air pump is located at least partially within the mixing chamber. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said first flow rate is characterized by an average flow rate in the range of 50 mL/sec to 10 L/sec. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said second flow rate is characterized by an average flow rate in the range of 50 mL/sec to 10 L/sec. A method according to any preceding claim , wherein the fluid composition is a dishwashing composition . A method according to any preceding claim , wherein the mixing chamber and the distribution chamber are not in direct fluid communication.

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